Hand Made Japanese TANTO Samurai Sword T10 Clay Tempered Full Tang Blade Hualee SAYA

Handmade Japanese Tanto – T10 Clay Tempered Blade with Hualee Wood Saya

The HanBon Forge HB338 Tanto combines a compact traditional Japanese short-sword profile with a functional T10 high-carbon steel blade, genuine clay-tempered hamon, and naturally patterned Hualee wood fittings.

Each blade is individually forged, heat treated, polished, assembled, and inspected by hand. The differential clay-tempering process creates a visible real hamon rather than an etched or printed pattern, giving every blade its own subtle character.

The minimalist Hualee wood saya and matching wooden handle highlight the natural grain of the material, creating a clean appearance that allows the blade and hamon to remain the visual focus.

T10 Clay Tempered Blade

The blade is forged from T10 high-carbon tool steel, a steel valued for its hardness, edge retention, and suitability for differential heat treatment.

During clay tempering, different areas of the blade are cooled at different rates. This produces a harder cutting edge while retaining greater resilience through the body of the blade. The process also creates the blade's authentic hamon — a natural result of heat treatment rather than a decorative surface treatment.

• Blade Steel: T10 high-carbon steel
• Heat Treatment: Differential clay tempering
• Hamon: Genuine heat-treatment hamon
• Construction: Full tang
• Edge: Hand sharpening available

Natural Hualee Wood Saya & Handle

The saya and handle are crafted from Hualee hardwood, selected for its attractive natural grain and warm appearance. Instead of covering the wood with a heavy painted finish, the design allows the character of the material itself to remain visible.

Because natural wood grain varies from piece to piece, each completed tanto may have slightly different grain patterns and coloration. These variations are normal and make each sword visually unique.

Product Specifications

*Measurements and weight are approximate. As each sword is individually handmade, minor variations may occur.

Traditional Tanto Proportions

The tanto was historically carried as a compact companion blade alongside longer Japanese swords. Its shorter dimensions make it visually distinct from a katana or wakizashi while retaining many of the same fundamental principles of Japanese sword construction.

At approximately 11 inches in blade length, the HB338 maintains the compact proportions expected of a traditional tanto-style sword and makes an excellent companion piece to a Japanese sword collection.

Made for Collectors Who Appreciate the Blade

Rather than relying on elaborate decoration, this design emphasizes three elements: the natural hamon of the clay-tempered blade, the grain of the Hualee wood, and the simple proportions of the traditional tanto.

It is an excellent choice for collectors looking for a functional Japanese short sword with a restrained, natural aesthetic.

• Japanese sword and tanto collectors
• Collectors seeking a genuine clay-tempered blade
• Display alongside a katana or wakizashi
• Japanese swordsmanship and historical weapon enthusiasts
• Customers who prefer natural wood fittings over painted saya

Handmade by HanBon Forge

HanBon Forge swords are individually made and assembled rather than mass-produced as decorative replicas. From blade forging and heat treatment to polishing, fitting, assembly, and final inspection, each sword passes through multiple stages of handwork before completion.

Because these are handmade swords, subtle differences in hamon activity, polish, wood grain, and dimensions are part of the character of each individual piece.

Optional Hand Sharpening

Please select your preferred sharpening option before adding the sword to your cart. If you have special requirements, you may also leave them in the order notes and our team will review them before production.

For custom blade dimensions, engraving, different fittings, saya options, or other modifications, please visit our Custom Sword section or contact HanBon Forge before ordering.